Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has launched a blistering verbal assault on the country's powerful Army Chief, General Asim Munir, labelling him a "mentally unstable man" whose policies are "disastrous" for the nation. The 73-year-old founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party made these explosive allegations in a social media post from Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail on Wednesday.
Scathing Allegations and Policy Critique
In a detailed post on X, written in Urdu, the former cricketer-turned-politician did not mince words. He squarely blamed General Munir for the alarming surge in terrorism within Pakistan, stating that the situation "grieves me deeply." Khan accused the army chief of having no concern for Pakistan's national interests and alleged his actions were merely to "please Western powers."
Furthermore, Khan made a serious claim that Munir "deliberately ignited tensions with Afghanistan" to project himself internationally as a so-called 'mujahid' or holy warrior. He connected this to a series of actions, stating, "Munir first threatened Afghans, then expelled refugees from Pakistan and carried out drone strikes whose consequences we now face in the form of rising terrorism." The PTI founder reiterated his long-standing opposition to drone attacks and military operations against its own people, warning they fuel more extremism.
Claims of Political Vendetta and Harsh Prison Conditions
Khan's attack extended beyond policy, getting deeply personal. He alleged that the army chief's "moral bankruptcy has led to the complete collapse of the Constitution and rule of law in Pakistan." He directly accused Munir of being the architect behind the "fabricated cases" against him and his wife, Bushra Bibi, claiming they have been subjected to the "worst form of psychological torture."
The former PM provided a grim account of his incarceration. He revealed he has been held in "complete solitary confinement" for four weeks, locked in a cell with no human contact and cut off from the outside world. Khan asserted that even basic necessities guaranteed under jail rules have been denied, and despite court orders, his meetings with political colleagues, lawyers, and family have been obstructed.
He cited the treatment of his sister, Noreen Niazi, who he said was "dragged on the road simply for demanding her legitimate right to meet me." Khan emphasized that such psychological pressure is recognized as torture under any human rights charter.
Family Visit and Broader Political Context
The remarks were shared a day after Khan's other sister, Dr. Uzma Khan, met him in Adiala Jail following "special permission" from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government. This meeting occurred after over a month, amid intense speculation on social media regarding Khan's health and safety in solitary confinement.
After the meeting, Dr. Uzma Khan told media that her brother's physical health was "perfectly fine," but he was "very angry" and being subjected to "mental torture." This confirmation came after weeks of rumours fueled by the unofficial ban on meetings with the former premier.
In his post, Khan also praised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for showing courage in an "environment of repression," urging him to "continue to play on the front foot." He challenged those threatening to impose governor's rule in the KP province to do so and "watch what happens." This sharp criticism from prison marks a significant escalation in Khan's ongoing confrontation with the powerful military establishment, which has been a central theme of Pakistani politics since his ouster from power.
